Jake finds Leeds as good as advertised
CANADIAN international Jake Ilnicki is delighted to be following in the footsteps of his international coach Mike Shelley after moving from Newcastle to Yorkshire Carnegie this summer.
Shelley made a club record 244 appearances for Leeds, between 1996 and 2006, and the picture of him holding aloft the Powergen Cup is proudly on display at Headingley.
While that 2005 triumph against Bath seems like a distant memory to many fans, Ilnicki is finding out for himself just how highly regarded his mentor is around the place.
“Mike has been a pretty close friend of mine for the past six years, ever since I got to know him when I played for the Canada U20 team,” said the tight-head prop, capped 31 times by his country.
“He always talks about how Leeds is the greatest place on earth and how he used to run the town, and I generally didn’t believe him.
“But when I got over here not only did I realise how big a deal he was on the rugby side of things but also within the community. He’s a big part of Leeds and it is pretty cool to follow in his footsteps.”
Ilnicki started Carnegie’s disappointing 16-5 defeat to Hartpury College on the opening day of the Championship season and is looking forward to more regular game time and the chance to develop under head coach Steve Boden.
“Steve is quite a wellrecognised front row coach and, in the first month I have been here, it is probably the most technical coaching I’ve received in the past couple of years. He is giving me the opportunities to play the best of my ability.
“I’ve only been here for a month and a half and I have really enjoyed myself. The thing that is a bit different here to Northampton and Newcastle is that the squad size is smaller, so I have got to know the boys quicker and to be involved in the first game on the weekend was a huge thing for me. Consistently playing is probably the biggest thing I need right now for my career.”
Ilnicki is hoping his new side can open their account for the season today, at home to Richmond.
“Last weekend was a bit tough, I don’t think we were as prepared as we thought we were but going into this week we’ve had some good training sessions and I think the boys are really energised for this one.”
Bath import Will Britton is set to make his Carnegie debut in place of captain Richard Mayhew (ankle), with Pete Lucock taking the armband. Joe Buckle is ruled out with a head injury so Charlie Gibbings gets his home debut.
After winning on the opening day of the Championship for the first time, 24-19 over rivals London Scottish, Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill makes just one change to his XV with Cam Hudson replacing the suspended captain, Cameron Mitchell, at centre. Jesse Liston is named skipper.